Suction-pipe for hydraulic dredges.



11 .746.9914. PATENTED DEO.15,1903. A; W. ROBINSON.

SUCTION PIPE FOR HYDRAULIG DREDGES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 4. i903. NO MODEL. 2 SHBETS-SHEIET 2.

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Miran rarns Patented December 15, 1903.

Warren.

SUC'll'lON PlPE FOR HYDRAULIC DREDGES.

SPEQIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 746,994, dated December I5, 1903.

Application filed April 4:, 1903. Serial No. 151,029- (No model.)

I To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR W. ROBINSON, a citizen of the Dominion of Canada, and a resident of the city of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Suction-Pipes for Hydraulic Dredges, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in whichv Figure 1 is a plan view of the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the universal joint by which the suction-pipe is attached to the dredge. It is partly in plan and partly in horizontal section. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the universal joint, partly in section.

The objects of the invention are to provide a suction-pipe having a universal movement in relation to the hull of the dredge secured by a novel construction of the parts, Whereby greater strength, durability, and freedom in action are obtained, and also to provide more efficient and convenient means for driving the cutter-head than heretofore known.

Referring to the drawings, A is the suctionpipe, which is attached to the end of the hull B by means of the universal joint. (Illustrated best in Figs. 3 and 4..)

0 represents the rotary cutter, which may be of any preferred form and which is mounted on the end of the shaft D and revolved thereby. This shaft is driven by a motor E through the medium of gearing about to be described. The motor ismounted on the top of the upper end of the suction-pipe on a platform or bed formed of a horizontal plate F, mounted on two vertical side plates F and connected to them, preferably by angle-irons. Other eflicient means may be employed. This construction forms a hollow box-girder, on top of which the motor and gearing can be conveniently placed. The side plates F, forming this girder, are securely bolted or riveted to the suction-pipe, so as to be practically integral with it. Thus a firm solid base or foundation for the motor is afforded.

It will be noted that at the cutter-head end of the shaft D it and the suction-pipe A are close together, whereas at the upper end of the suction-pipe they diverge considerably in order to allow space for the gearing and motor on the top of the bed-plate. Thus the shaft and the suction-pipe are at a slight angle relative to each other, and in order that the gearing may be all. of the spur type and have straight faces, thus avoiding any angle or bevel gears, I make the top of the horizontal plate F, which constitutes the upper member of the box-girder referred to, parallel with the axis of the shaft D.

The motor E maybe driven by such power as preferred. In the illustration I intend to indicate an electric motor.

As the speed of the cutter-head is very slow relative to that of the motor or engine, it is necessary to employ gearing of a high ratio to effect the necessary reduction. In my preferred construction I employ a special arrangement of gearing to accomplish this object.

G is a spur-gear on the end of the cuttershaft, which engages with a pinion H, mounted on a short shaft I, one end of which is carried by a bracket J, which also carries the end of the cutter-shaft D, the other and being suitably journaled in the base of the motor or other equivalent place. H is another gear on the shaft I, with whichmeshes a gear H on another shaft, H On the other end of the shaft I-I there is a spur-gear K, which meshes into a pinion L on the end of the motor-shaft. By the employment of this chain of gearing I effect the necessaryreduction of speed and secure increased power and avoid the presence of bevel-gears, which are objectionable as compared with spur-gears on account of their deficiency in strength and the end thrust inseparable from their use. The entire construction is, moreover,stronger, more compact, and reliable.

The suction-pipe is connected to the hull of the dredge by a peculiar construction of devices which resemble a hollow ball and socket or so-called spherical joint, but which is essentially different from it in certain respects, which will be referred to.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4:, L is the hollow or ball-like member of the joint. It is rigidly attached, as shown best in Fig. 4, to the end of the suction-pipe. Its opening or mouth is preferably presented downwardly (see Fig.

4) relative to the axial line of the suction- 1 socket joint, but are carried entirely by this pipe immediately adjacent to it in order that when in normal position the rim of-the opening of the ball may be as nearly vertical as possible, so as to secure a greater range of movement. M is the socket of the joint. The parts are sustained and held in proper position by an external ring N, which is pivoted vertically on its upper and under sides by the axes or pivots O O, which engage in a hollow ring-casting P, fastened against the edge or free-board of the hull of the dredge. The suction-pipe is in turn pivoted to this ring at P P by sideframes or arms Q Q, which are firmly bolted to the sides of the end of the suction-pipe. It will thus be seen that the pipe is pin-connected to the ring at each side on horizontal axes and that the ring itself is pin-connected to the hollow basecasting P on its vertical axes and that the spherical joint, composed of the ball L and the socket M, is sustained and rigidly held in place by the supports referred to in such manner that they do not intentionally make contact with each other at any time or under any circumstances. On the contrary, they are entirely free from such contact and are consequently relieved of the jamming, straining, and rupturing effect due to such contact, which is one of the specially undesirable features in this form of construction Whenever it has heretofore been attempted to use it.

In order that the joint between the hollow ball and the socket may be practically airtight, so that there be no power lost because of reduction of suction, I seal the same by the employment of an annular packing-ring R, Whichmay be made of rubber, leather, or equivalent material and fastened in place upon the forward annular edge or rim of the socket by bolts S with an underlying flat ring, as shown. The suction due to the presence of the partial vacuum maintained within the pipe will cause this packing to hug down snugly upon the external periphery of the hollow ball L, thus making the joint sufficiently air-tight.

It will be evident to those who are familiar with this art that I secure a number of very considerable advantages by my new construction of the parts and their arrangement. The improvements in the gearing connecting the motor with the cutter-shaft have already been referred to; also the advantages resulting from non-contact between the ball and socket at the joint between the suction-pipe and the hull of the dredge have been referred to. There are other advantages, however, among them the following: Owing to my improved method of supporting the dredge end of the suction-pipe by reason of the side arms and the pivoted ring, which can be made of any requisite strength and solidity, the considerable weight of the motor and parts carried,by it do not rest on the ball-andsolid and substantial support.

Again, under my peculiar construction the suction-pipe is enabled to enter the hull of the dredge at or near the water-line, passing through its free-board instead of having to rise and pass up over the deck, as has usually been the case in other constructions. Indeed, should occasion require, my suction-pipe may enter the hull of the dredge below the waterline. This depression of the delivery end of the suction-pipe is especially advantageous, as it greatly increases the effective suction of the pump at the cutter-head. It will be readily understood thatif the suction-pipe is carried up to any considerable height above the water line before reaching the pump much of the power of the pump must be expended in merely lifting the material over such elevation with no resulting advantage in performing the work. Furthermore, by the stated construction of the apparatus I am onabled not only to raise and lower the suctionpipe, so that it can work to its full depth and also be lifted entirely out of the water, but also to swing it from side to side toa considerable angle, thus making alateral feed and an excavation of considerable depth, While the hull of the dredge remains stationary. This is of special advantage when dredging in confined spaces, where it may not be possible to swing or feed the entire dredge, which would be necessary if the pipe were not enabled to have the independent movement referred to. Other devices heretofore used have accomplished the same purpose by means of a section of rubber hose,such as that illustrated in my earlier patent, No. 566,473, dated August 23, 1896; but rubber hose for this purpose is short-lived and is quite costly. The slighest leakage, to which it is peculiarly liable, impairs the vacuum of the pump, and thus speedily becomes worthless. By my invention I obtain a permanent and strong device of great durability and not open to the objections stated relative to the section of rubber hose. There are also other objections to that form. Also my construction is less costly to make than the ordinary balland-socket joint as they have been heretofore made, because there is no necessity for accurately fitting the exterior of the ball to the interior of the socket in order that the vacuum may be maintained. This is a very diflicult and exceedingly costly operation. Moreover, under my construction, as heretofore stated, the liability to fracture of the parts by reason of the jamming of the ball in the socket is entirely done away with. I also avoid the split joint in the socket located on the axis of the ball, which was necessary as such devices have been heretofore made. In fact, in my construction the rim of the socket may terminate on a plane passing through the center of the ball and the packing-ring be placed directly thereon, as

illustrated. This contributes the double advantage of simplicity of the parts and by tak ing up less room on the surface of the sphere or ball permits greater angular movement in the pipe.

It will be obvious to those who are familiar with this art that modifications may be made in the details of construction of the parts without departing from the essentials of the invention. I therefore do not limit myself to such details.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. In a hydraulic dredge the combination of a suction-pipe, a cutter-shaft on top the pipe arranged at an angle thereto, a bedplate at the upper end of the pipe parallel with the axis of the shaft and a motor and gearing mounted on the said bed-plate.

2. In a hydraulic dredgethe combination of a suction-pipe, a cutter-shaft on top the pipe, a bed-plate on the upper end and the up-.

per side of the suction-pipe, a motor mounted centrally on said bed-plate, gearing for the cutter-shaft also mounted centrally on said bed-plate and spur-gearing connecting the motor to the cutter-shaft.

3. In a hydraulic dredge the combination of a suction-pipe, a cutter-shaft located above the suction-pipe, a motor supported on the suctionpipe at or near the dredge, a ball-andsocket joint connecting the suction-pipe with the dredge, arms connected to the suctionpipe and pivoted to a ring on its horizontal axis, pivots for the ring arranged on its vertical axis and a packing-ring to seal the joint between the ball and the socket.

4:. In a suction-pipe for hydraulic dredges a ball-and-socket joint connecting the pipe to the dredge, the ball member whereof is attached to the end of the suction-pipe and at an angle relative to its axial line.

5. In a hydraulic dredge the combination of a suction-pipe, a ball-and-socket joint connecting the pipe to the hull of the dredge,

means whereby the dredge end of the pipe may be pivotally supported and the ball maintained in proper relation to the socket, without coming in contact therewith, and a packing supported upon one of these parts and drawn into sealing contact with the other by suction.

6. In a hydraulic dredge a ball-and-socket joint connecting the suction pipe to the dredge, means to support the ball within the socket, without contact between them, and a packing-ring on the exterior of one of the parts, but not between them, adapted to be drawn by the suction of the engine into contact with the other part, thus sealing the joint between them.

7. In a hydraulic dredge a casting set against the free-board of the dredge, embodying the socket member of a ball-and-socket joint, a trunnion-ring pivoted thereto on its vertical axis and having means upon its horizontal axis, whereby the suction-pipe may be pivoted to it, and a flexible annular packing connected to the socket member and adapted to be drawn down upon the ball member by the suction from the engine, thus closing the opening between these two parts.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ARTHUR W. ROBINSON.

Vitnesses:

E. M. Conner, A. J. YOUNG. 

